Our Trustees & Team

ANNIE HALLChairman

Annie was, for many years, the Finance Director of The Nim Group , an engineering company based in Alfreton and was involved in all aspects of the business so has a wide range of business skills. She was a non-executive director on several boards including that of the Derbyshire Mental Health Trust and The Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce. She is currently a Trustee of Foundation Derbyshire. She has a grandson ,Hugh, who has a rare chromosome disorder causing learning and some physical problems. This means that she is very aware of the effects this has on him, his parents and his sister.

NIGEL FARROWSecretary

Nigel was a Social Worker, Social Work Manager and Children’s Services Assistant Director in various East Midlands Local Authorities . He has experience of delivering social services for disabled children, commissioning children’s services, service development, strategic planning and quality assurance. As well as being a Trustee, Nigel volunteers for Umbrella providing management support in responding to Tenders and writing bids for funding.

RUTH POWNALL

Ruth worked as the first Activity Schemes Development Worker at Umbrella from 1991 to 1994. She is the Mum of a complex adult with autism and severe learning disabilities and has worked professionally with disabled children, young people and their families for over 30 years. Ruth set up Fairplay in North Derbyshire after leaving Umbrella and then the Inclusion Service for Derbyshire County Councils Children’s Services until December 31st 2016.

She is now Registered Manager of her family owned and run Home Care Support Company for vulnerable adults.

Ruth says that being a Trustee of Umbrella is wonderful.

JANET HOLLAND

Qualified NNEB in 1986 and has had various positions within childcare, including eight years in under 8s child protection before joining Derwent Stepping Stones in 1998 as Nursery Manager.

Janet returned to education and completed BA Hons Degree in Business and Voluntary Sector Management in 2005 and a post graduate certificate in Early Childhood Studies in 2006. Janet is passionate about supporting families and creating the best possible environment for children to thrive. Janet has led a wide variety of initiatives whilst at Derwent Stepping Stones bringing much needed resources into the community.

TRACEY HARRISON

Tracy has been a Trustee of Umbrella for ten years. She is currently vice chair.

Tracy enjoys fundraising and supporting Umbrella events. Her most daunting fundraiser was the abseil down the Jury’s Inn Hotel. Her favourite event is the annual children’s party which she compares.

Tracy says that Umbrella is an amazing charity with passionate, committed staff and incredible children and young people and she is proud to be a part of it.

ROLAND BROWN

Roland was the Chief Executive of Derbyshire Carers Association. As such he was responsible for all management aspects of the organisation including finance, staff development and moving the organisation in the desired strategic direction. He has been the Sales and Marketing Director for an engineering company, and prior to working in the voluntary sector, worked as a management consultant (self employed) particularly working on business planning and management development programmes. In terms of qualifications he has an MBA ( masters degree in business administration).

JOHN RUSSELL

Treasurer

John joined Rolls-Royce in 1968 as an engineering graduate, but spent most of his working life in Financial/commercial management. Following early retirement in 2002, John spent several years as a part-time business consultant before joining Umbrella as Finance Manager in August 2006. He retired from Umbrella in April 2012, and joined the Board of Umbrella as Treasurer.

John was a Chartered Mechanical Engineer, and is a Chartered Management Accountant. FCMA . CGMA.

Our Team

Umbrella has a varied team of staff including Coordinators responsible for the day to day planning of services, Family Support workers who offer advice and organise support groups, Independent Supporters helping with EHC plans, the Administration team supporting everyone, and of course, our Activity Support Workers who deliver services directly.

We have a wonderful team and wouldn’t be here without them. Every person is here so that we can offer the assistance and support to as many families as we can ensuring that each service, activity or one to one runs as smoothly as possible.

Ann RowlandsChief Executive Officer

Ann joined Umbrella as a Play and Leisure Development Worker in 1996 and became Chief Executive in 2000. She is now Chief Executive with responsibility for the overall Management of Umbrella. Ann’s duties are very varied and she is very passionate about improving services for disabled children and their families.

Jenny LucasOperations Manager

Jenny originally came to work for Umbrella in November 2001 and now oversees four projects which are Children’s, Adult’s, Play & Leisure and Volunteer services. She also manages all of Umbrella’s frontline staff who support our children and young people to access their chosen activity.

Kristin ClarkGeneral Manager

Before joining Umbrella in 2014, Kristin had spent 14 years working in a legal environment gaining experience and skills which have been applied to her role here. Kristin takes care of the day to day aspects of Umbrella from recruitment and payroll to Health & Safety, marketing and fundraising.